I was going to use the 10 gram starter tabs. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=1618 I watched a video where they dropped the tablet into the hole, then inserted the bare root seedling, and closed the hole. Anyone see a problem in doing this?

There is most likely better experts then me, but I believe the idea behind not fertilizing the first year is to allow roots to spread out and grow (a lot) to helpensure adequate moisture take up. The N in the tablets (if available early) will produce lots of green stuff (perhaps more then root system can handle and may lead to stress). I think there is geneal mention about this at the NY site under 'care of seedlings' or something like that

I'm not going to disagree with Forestry Suppliers as they are a very reputable operation. When planting fruit trees I use a low nitrogen higher phosphate and potassium fertilizer disolved in the planting water. You don't water forest planted trees so these seem like an excellent choice. The nitrogen appears to be slow release which helps prevent a flush of top growth.

Dan O.

You need to keep in mind the the forestry suppliers are trying to sell a product and that is there main goal. When I planted My trees I was specifically told not to fertilize or water the first year. They said that if you water a seedling or fertilize it they will not want to spread out its root base like it needs to. They told me to only water if the leaves appear to be wilting a little. But this was all with pine, and hard woods. I planted over 2000 and never watered or fertilized once! Never planted any fruit trees so they may be different. Just do what your DEC suggest you do and not what a salesman wants to sell you.

Do not fertilize the trees in their first couple of years at least...it will stress them, especially if there is not adequate rainfall. Controlling the other vegetation is the main concern in the early stages of stand establishment. Site prep well and control weed/grass growth then you should have good results.

The jury is out unless you weed and have sufficient water:

http://www.ccffa-oswa.org/Ketchum.html

Dan O.

When i plant my pines each year we never clear away the quack grass, this will help protect the tree in the winter!! We have hash winters in Northern Michigan so the cover helps alot!

Our trees came in this week. My dad changed up the order with out me knowing and was surprised when they where delivered to see what we had. 100 persimon, 100 dogwood, 100 white oak,100 river birch, 100 white pine, and 100 cypress trees. Got them all planted in two days and the dog woods and birch have already started to bud out. Brings a good feeling seeing all those trees where crops have been planted for years. Well, everything but the cypress, which we planted around a couple of our ponds.